Digital audio/video playing device

ABSTRACT

A digital audio/video playing device includes a support plate forming a plurality of depressible tabs. Each tab is formed by forming an elongate slit surrounding the tab with a small connection with the support plate to form a cantilever, elastically deflectable tab. A plurality of switch units and a touch control board are arranged between a base plate of the playing device and the support plate. A surface film is attached to the support plate and has a continuous raised-recessed configuration, including a smoothly-raised external ring section and a touch-control internal ring section to allow a user to depress the depressible tabs of the support plate and to operate the touch control board via the surface film.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a digital audio/video playing device, in particular to an operation panel structure of a digital audio/video playing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the development of computer technology and digitalized multi-medium technology, computer devices are widely used in a variety of applications, such as office applications, home entertainments, and business operations. Some of the latest developments successfully combine multi-medium or digital music features in portable computer devices, such as notebook computer and thus allowing general consumers to watch multi-medium films or to listen to digital music with the notebook computers.

However, due to the current trend and requirement from general consumers of miniaturization of the portable electronic devices, playing multi-medium film or digital music with the notebook computers is not the best choice for the consumers and portable multi-medium player and digital music players gradually take place of the notebook computers in playing digital music or multi-medium film. These market available digital playing device comprise a micro storage for storing digital music and multi-medium data that can be retrieved and played by the playing device whereby the general consumers can enjoy the film and music at any time and any place.

The evolution of the digital playing device, however, does not accompany any significant improvement in the operation and control panel, which means the new device is operated with the same old control panel. In the conventional control panel, a number of openings are defined in a casing of the playing device and keys or pushbuttons of the same number extend beyond the openings respectively and are thus accessible by and selectively depressible by the user to operate the playing device. Examples are illustrated in U.S. Designs D469109S and D472245S, in which a casing forms a plurality of openings arranged in a circular configuration each for the extension of a pushbutton to allow the depression by a user.

The conventional control or operation panel requires openings that are formed in advance and are of high precision of location in order to allow for snug extension of the pushbuttons. This does not raise any significant problem in manufacturing for electronic devices of regular sizes, such as household electric appliance or industry electric devices. However, for the miniaturized portable device, extremely severe requirement for high precision must be met in order to effect snug extension of tiny pushbuttons. As a consequence, any defeat in quality control regarding the mechanical dimension of the parts of the playing device will lead to failure of product.

In the previously mentioned US designs, the area surrounded by the pushbuttons is provided with a circular control disk. The disk has an outer rim, which is raised with respect to the casing with a gap existing therebetween. Such a structure forms an obstacle to a user's finger that slides along the surface of the casing for operating the pushbuttons. Such a problem also exists in a variety of portable electronic devices that are currently available in the market.

Even the gap and raised rim that are commonly seen in the operation panel or control panel of the conventional portable electronic devices are made hardly felt by the user, there is still a problem of humidity penetration into the device through the tiny gap to be overcome for the conventional designs. Humidity is one of the major causes that fail the electronic devices.

Thus, the present invention is aimed to solve the above-discussed problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a digital audio/video playing device, comprising a surface film covering a surface of the playing device, wherein the film comprises a smoothly-raised external ring section and a touch-control internal ring section serving as a touch control whereby a user may apply a depressing force through the surface film to actuate depressible areas of a support plate and operate a touch board.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an operation panel of a digital audio/video playing device, which has a continuous raised-recessed configuration to provide the operation panel with a smooth tactile feeling of operation by the user.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an operation panel for a digital audio/video playing device featuring excellent isolation by providing a surface film covering a surface of a casing of the playing device and shielding pushbuttons accommodated in the casing, which effect isolation between inside and outside the casing and thereby increasing service life thereof.

To achieve the above objectives, in accordance with the present invention, a digital audio/video playing device comprises a casing accommodating a support plate, in which a plurality of elongate slits is defined, each delimiting a cantilever like depressible tab that has an end resiliently connected to the support plate. The playing device comprises a control circuit board. Switch units are arranged in a circle and a touch control board is arranged in a bore of the circle of the switch units. Both the switch units and the touch control board are located between the circuit board and the support plate whereby depression of the depressible tabs actuates corresponding switch units. A surface film is mounted to the casing and covers the support plate. The surface film forms a continuous raised-recessed configuration, defining a smoothly-raised external ring section and a touch-control internal ring section through both of which the user may depress the depressible tabs and operate the touch control board through the deformation of the surface film.

The present invention provides a digital audio/video playing device comprising both switch units resembling conventional pushbutton and a touch control board, both of which can be used to operate/control the playing device, realizing efficient and convenient operation of the playing device. The digital audio/video playing device of the present invention further comprises a surface film, which effects isolation of inside the playing device from the external surroundings, while allowing a user to selectively actuate the switch units and operate the touch control board. The surface film has a continuous raised-recessed configuration, defining a smoothly-raised external ring section and a touch-control internal ring section by which the user may apply a force to either depressible tabs of a support plate to selectively actuate the switch units or a touch control board for operation thereof. The smoothly-raised configuration of the surface film provides the user with a smooth tactile feeling of contact and operation. The surface film, which effects isolation of the inside of the playing device, effectively prevents foreign objects, such as dusts and humidity, from entering the inside of the playing device and thus protecting the playing device and extending service life of the playing device. Value of the playing device can also be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital audio/video playing device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the digital audio/video playing device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the digital audio/video playing device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the digital audio/video playing device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the digital audio/video playing device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially sectioned, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, showing inside details of the digital audio/video playing device; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of encircled portion A of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-5, a digital audio/video playing device constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated with reference numeral 100, comprises a casing 1, which defines an interior space accommodating a data storage 11 that stores digital audio/video data to be played by the playing device 100. An internal power source 12 is also arranged in the interior space of the casing 1 for powering the digital audio/video playing device 100. The internal power source 12 may comprise a primary battery, or a secondary or rechargeable battery, or alternatively or in combination, the internal power source is comprised of a power adaptor that is connectable to an external power source, such as a wall outlet, for powering the digital audio/video playing device 100.

The casing 1 forms an opening corresponding in position to the internal power source 12, which is removably covered by a lid 13 for manual access or replacement of the battery 12. The casing 1 has opposite front and rear surfaces (not labeled), connected by opposite side faces and top and bottom faces. A record button 14 is formed on one side face of the casing 1 and a hold button 16 and a USB connector 17 are formed on the opposite side face. An earphone jack 15 is defined in the top face of the casing 1. A control circuit board 18 on which a control circuit is formed is fixed in the interior space of the casing 1 and is in electrical connection with the battery 12, the record button 14, the earphone jack 15, the hold button 16, and the USB connector 17.

A base plate 3 and a display unit 2 are also accommodated in the casing 1. The display unit 2 serves to display information/data related to the audio/video programs that are being played by the digital audio/video playing device 100, such as for example title of the programs, words of songs and the likes.

Also referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a support plate 4 is arranged outside and mounted to the base plate 3 and comprises a plurality of depressible tabs 41. Each depressible tab 41 is formed by forming an elongate slit 42 in the support plate 42, which elongate slit 42 surrounds the tab 41 with a small connection with the support plate 4, which connection resiliently supports the slit-surrounded depressible tab 41, thereby allowing the area 41 has a form similar to a cantilever beam that is resiliently deflectable when subject to an external force and to resume the original position thereof after the external force is removed.

A central bore 43, which is circular, is defined in the support plate 4 and surrounded by the depressible tabs 41. A touch control board 5, which is circular in shape, is arranged in the central bore 43 of the support plate 4. A switch set 6 comprises a ring along which a plurality of switch units 61 is arranged and the switch units 61 are positioned in correspondence to the depressible tabs 41 respectively, whereby when the depressible tabs 41 are depressed, the corresponding switch units 61 are actuated to issue a corresponding signal. An example of the switches 61 includes thin film switches formed by conductive rubber.

The switch set 6 comprises a cable 62, such as a flat cable, connected to the control circuit board 18 to transmit the signals generated by each switch unit 61 to the control circuit board 18.

A surface film 7 is attached to and covers the front surface of the casing 1. The surface film 7 can be molded and having a raised-recessed configuration, comprising an operation zone 70 corresponding to both the touch control board 5 and the switching ring 6. The operation zone 70 comprises a raised portion corresponding to the depressible tabs 41 of the support plate 4 and thus the switch units 61 of the switch set 6, and a recessed portion corresponding to the touch control board 5. The raised portion and recessed portion are integrated together as a continuous raised-recessed configuration.

In the embodiment illustrated, the raised portion of the operation zone 70 comprises a smoothly-raised external ring section 71, while the recessed portion of the operation zone 70 forms a touch-control internal ring section 72, which provides a variety of control function that a user may operate the digital audio/video playing device 100. The external ring section 71 concentrically surrounds the internal ring section 72. The external ring section 71 corresponds to a ring constituted by the depressible tabs 41 of the support plate 4, while the internal ring section 72 corresponds to the touch control board 5.

Printings may be formed on the external ring section 71 at positions corresponding to the depressible tabs 41 of the support plate 4 to allow the user to identify the positions, as well as functions, such as main menu, confirmation input, play/stop, forward, and backward, of the depressible tabs 41.

In the embodiment illustrated, a central raised portion 73 is concentrically formed inside the internal ring section 72 and at a central location of the internal ring section 72. The central raised portion 73, the touch-control internal ring section 72, and the smoothly-raised external ring section 71 form a concentric, continuous raised-recessed configuration. The central raised portion 73 functions to provide an aesthetic visual effect by forming the continuous raised-recessed configuration with the internal ring section 72 and the external ring section 71 and also serves as a reference point for user's finger in operating the touch-control internal ring section 72.

To operate the digital audio/video playing device 100 of the present invention, when the user depress the smoothly-raised external ring 71 of the surface film 7 at a position corresponding to the depressible tabs 41 of the support plate 4, the depression force is transmitted through the surface film 7 to the switch set 6, whereby the corresponding switch unit 61 of the switch set 6 is actuated by the depressible tab 41 to generate a signal that is transmitted through the cable 62 to the control circuit board 18. When the user depresses the touch-control internal ring section 72 of the surface film 7, a force is applied to the touch control board 5 through the surface film 7 to effect operation of the touch control board 5 to realize selection of particular function.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims. 

1. A digital audio/video playing device, comprising: a casing defining an interior space; a storage device for storing audio/video data, arranged in the interior space of the casing; a display unit arranged in the casing; a support plate forming at least a depressible tab; at least one switch unit positioned in correspondence to each depressible tab of the support plate; a touch control board mounted to the support plat at an area surrounded by the depressible tab; and a surface film arranged over and covering the support plate, comprising an operation area forming a raised portion corresponding to the depressible tab of the support plate and a recessed portion corresponding to the touch control board, the raised portion and the recessed portion together forming a continuous raised-recessed configuration.
 2. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depressible tab is formed in the support plate by forming an elongate slit surrounding the tab with a small connection with support plate thereby forming a cantilever tab that is elastically deflectable.
 3. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch unit comprises a thin film switch made of conductive rubber.
 4. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support plate defines a bore in which the touch control board is fixed.
 5. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bore is a circular opening.
 6. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the raised portion of the operation area of the surface film comprises a smoothly-raised external ring section and the recessed portion comprises a touch-control internal ring section, the external ring section surrounding the internal ring section, the external ring section corresponding in position to the depressible tab of the support plate and the internal ring section corresponding in position to the touch control board.
 7. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the operation area of the surface film further comprise a central raised portion at a central position of the internal ring section and wherein the central raised portion, the internal ring section, and the external ring section form a continuous raised-recessed configuration.
 8. The digital audio/video playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface film is a molded film having a raised-recessed configuration and attached to the support plate.
 9. An operation panel of a digital audio/video playing device, comprising: a support plate forming at least a depressible tab; at least one switch unit positioned in correspondence to each depressible tab of the support plate; and a surface film arranged over and covering the support plate, comprising an operation area forming a raised portion corresponding to the depressible tab of the support plate and a recessed portion, the raised portion and the recessed portion together forming a continuous raised-recessed configuration.
 10. The operation panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the depressible tab is formed in the support plate by forming an elongate slit surrounding the tab with a small connection with support plate thereby forming a cantilever tab that is elastically deflectable.
 11. The operation panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switch unit comprises a thin film switch made of conductive rubber.
 12. The operation panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support plate defines a bore in which a touch control board is fixed.
 13. The operation panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bore is a circular opening.
 14. The operation panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the raised portion of the operation area of the surface film comprises a smoothly-raised external ring section and the recessed portion comprises a touch-control internal ring section, the external ring section surrounding the internal ring section, the external ring section corresponding in position to the depressible tab of the support plate and the internal ring section corresponding in position to the touch control board.
 15. The operation panel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the operation area of the surface film further comprise a central raised portion at a central position of the internal ring section and wherein the central raised portion, the internal ring section, and the external ring section form a continuous raised-recessed configuration.
 16. The operation panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the surface film is a molded film having a raised-recessed configuration and attached to the support plate. 